Audi A8 vs Subaru Liberty
What's the difference?

Audi A8

—

2023 price

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Subaru Liberty

$9,990 - $22,990

2018 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2023 Audi A8

2018 Subaru Liberty

By James Cleary

By Peter Anderson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo V6, 3.0L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Diesel/Electric

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.9L/100km (combined)

7.3L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Refinement
Quality
Value

Roomy interior
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Well-equipped

Dislikes

Big turning circle
No folding rear seat
No front door bottle slots

Hoplessly grainy reversing camera
Run-of-the-mill warranty and steep servicing
No parking sensors

2023 Audi A8 Summary

Audi’s flagship is the A8, a long, luxurious sedan where being driven is often as important as doing the driving.

To put this ultra-premium machine in context, it competes with other German heavyweights like BMW’s 7 Series and, of course, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class as well as Porsche’s Panamera. Not to mention the Lexus LS or Maserati’s Quattroporte.

What’s life like at the top of the Audi pyramid? Stay with us to find out.

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2018 Subaru Liberty Summary

Subaru's Liberty is probably one of the most recognised badges in the country. Talk to anyone outside of Australia, though, and unless they know their cars, they haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. It's a mark of Subaru's respect of the Australian market - the company renamed it from Legacy for local consumption - and the power of a brand that's approaching 30 years old.

Just about every Australian reading these words has been in a Liberty of one age or another. Some even remember it for Colin McRae's heroics at the wheel of the blue-and-yellow machine in the early '90s before the switch to another famous Subaru, the Impreza.

The Liberty is now well into its sixth iteration which means time for a mid-life nip and tuck. Subaru has worked above and below the skin to breathe a bit of life into its mainstay sedan.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Audi A8 2018 Subaru Liberty

Verdict

The Audi A8 swims in a luxury car shark tank where those paying the big dollars expect top-shelf everything. It delivers a serene driving experience whether you’re in the front or the back, in a superbly engineered and executed luxury sedan package. Not perfect, but very, very impressive.

Verdict

The Liberty has a lot going for it - a great reputation for reliability, it isn't terribly priced (although servicing is a little steep) and has that signature all-wheel drive. While I've complained about the ride and handling, apart from STi and RS-badged versions, that has never been the Liberty's strong suit.

While it might be a shrinking part of the market - and Subaru is a founding architect of the modern SUV cult - Subaru and its competitors still care. The Liberty, like Forester and Outback, remains a stand-out in the sector with a boxer 2.5 and all-wheel drive. Sometimes that kind of individuality is enough.

Audi A8 vs Subaru Liberty What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A8 vs Subaru Liberty
What's the difference?